Deputies in deadly Valley shooting identified

Authorities have identified the two Stevens County deputies who were involved in a deadly shooting last Friday in Valley, Wash.

Deputies Travis Frizzell and Nick Wolfe responded to a call of a suicidal individual at a residence in the vicinity of the 3600 block of Deer Creek Road in Valley on Oct. 19. When they arrived they confronted John Peterson, 66, who was standing outside his home holding a firearm.

He was on the phone with 911 dispatchers when Frizzell and Wolfe arrived at his residence.

The deputies identified themselves to Peterson and Frizzell ordered him to put his weapon down. He turned and pointed the weapon at Wolfe and the deputy fired once, striking and killing Peterson.

Frizzell is a five-year veteran of the Stevens County Sheriff's Office who previously served as an officer with the Chewelah Police Department for three years. Wolfe is a reserve deputy with the sheriff's office. He has been on the force for eight months.

The shooting is being investigated by the Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team. At the conclusion of their investigation their findings will be forwarded to the Stevens County Prosecutor's Office for review to determine whether or not the shooting was justified.